#Thailand, North vs. South

 Thailand, North vs. South

    Thailand isn't just cheap hotels, fantastic beaches and an wild nightlife, Thailand offers an astonishing culture to discover which puts a grin on just about everyone's face. Northern Thailand is mainly jungle, parts of which is inside national parks which are still fertile and verdant with plentiful flora and fauna. There a lot of sites and locations where holiday makers prefer to visit to study the life style of the hill tribe people who live high in the mountains. The climate in the northern Thailand is much cooler than the south, November to February is the cool season and can range from about 15 to 29 degrees Celsius during the day. At higher elevations, temperatures can sometimes dip down to freezing point at night. It doesn't snow, but sleet does occur at times.

                               Doi Ang Khang, Chiang Mai

                               Photo Credit: sanook.com/travel

    During the hot season, lasting from March to May, temperatures especially in the city are high, rising into the high 30s. The rainy season in the north is from June to October. Chiang Mai is the tourist hub of  Northern Thailand, it is considered one of the most scenic provinces in the country with its valleys, mountain ranges fauna and flora. One of the most popular things to do in Northern Thailand is going trekking up the mountain and spending a night or two with the hilltribes, it's a great way for the tribes to earn some extra cash and a great experience that shows you that you don't need a whole lot in life to enjoy it.

    Southern Thailand is definitely the most popular of the 2, many people do travel to Thailand for the beaches, islands and nightlife. But now a new destination has emerged in Surat Thani called Khao Sok, this place is really starting to come alive over the years and has so much to offer. It has a rainforest which is even older than the amazon rainforest. Not sure how this place has not been discovered in the past, its has a number of wild animals which include Malayan Tapir, Asian Elephant, Tiger, Sambar Deer, Bear, Guar, Banteng, Serow, Wild Boar, Langur, White handed Gibbon, Squirrel and Mouse Deer.erer

    For nice beaches and water activities, Trang is also emerging and one of the better places in Southern Thailand to visit, it has not been over developed yet and the prices for everything is much cheaper than the popular Phuket.

    If you ever go to Thailand and wishing for different experience than the usual touristy holiday, Chiang Mai Free Reprint Article, Khao Suk and Trang are good alternatives to explore. (Don Carswell)

                            

#Temples of Chiang Mai Thailand

 Temples of Chiang Mai Thailand

        Thailand, the world's 51st largest country is famous for its island, beaches, martial arts and various eats. Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Phi Phi are among the few popular attractions of this wonderful country. It is also known as the Land of Smiles as Thai's have different virtual smiles for every type of situation.Thailand, a nation of Southeast Asia that is known for its eternal beauty, magnificent lifestyle and captivating heritage is also quite a popular place for its Buddhist culture and religious beliefs that can be witnessed at a bunch of charming cities. Easy year, thousands of tourists visit these places in search of some tranquility and spirituality. The tempting cityscapes, exquisite natural landscapes in the surroundings  an array of religious sites is what most of the cities in Thailand are all about. Among them all, Chiang Mai has recently become a hot favorite place for a spiritual vacation in Thailand. So, if you are looking to plan a visit to this part of Thailand, then you must plan your trip while keeping the best temples of Chiang Mai Thailand that are really stunning and can give you a lot of insight about the culture, history and traditional lifestyle of the region: 

                                   Wat Chedi Luang

                                  Photo Credit: travel.kapook.com

Wat Chedi Luang

        Known as the biggest man-made structure from the Lanna Kingdom, constructed in the 14th century, Wat Chedi Luang is among the reputed and visited temples in the region, nestled in the heart of the Old Town. The temple of Wat Chedi Luang was once the home of famous Emerald Buddha Statue which was formed centuries ago and even then was known as one of the holiest images of Buddha. After being struck by lightening as per the legends in the late 14th century, this place is now known as one of the oldest temples and still has its top missing which was initially damaged by an open lightening from the sky. Every year, thousands of pilgrims aura inside and around the temple premises.

Wat Plan On

    Not as massive as Wat Chedi Luang, yet similarly famous in the same neighborhood of Old Town Chiang Mai, Wat Plan On is one of the most prestigious places in the entire region which was constructed in the beginning of the 16th century. Though the latest finishing touch on the Chedi which was done in 2007 with golden look, the temple has always been a center of attraction for tourists and located pilgrims for centuries. The temples is decently wide from the inside and pilgrims as well as tourists can access the Chedi where the surroundings. The detailed carving on the wall, chedi, doors and exterior are really spellbinding and tons of people visit here every day to witness such a magnificent beauty of this extraordinary temple.

Photo Credit: museumthailand.com

Wat Suan Dok

    Unlike many other Buddhist temples in Chiang Mai as well as nearby areas, Wat Suan Dok is a uniquely styled and serene place at a proximity from the Old Town. With the structures that are painted in white color with a perfect touch of golden domes and interior, Wat Suan Dok is truly a hevenly place where you can feel the spiritual connection and peace of mind and body. Incepted in the year 1370 by the Sukhothai Kingdom after digging a relic belonged from Buddha, this place was initially the home of monks that were the only withness of the legend of breaking of the relic and splitting ceremony. Today, this place is really astonishing attraction for tourists and a frequently visited temple by the local pilgrims. The exterior becomes even more enchanting during the sunset when the white paint in the exterior and the golden chedi give it a heavenly outlook.

                                  Wat Phra Singh

                                  Photo Credit: dhammathai.org

Wat Phra Singh

    Constructed by the King Phayu in the year 1345, the spectacular temple of Wat Phra Singh is among the most prestigious and remarkable structure in the entire Chiang Mai, prominently known for being the home of the state of Phra Buddha Singh. The temple was one closed by the Burmese rulers and was harmed until the restoration in the early 20th century. Today, the whole complex of Wat Phra Singh is a great catch for tourists and has been witnessing the rituals on the daily basis. The complex is featured with loads of open areas, the main dome and the library which is located next to the main entrance of the temple.

Wat Pha Lat

    For people who are looking for nothing flashy and just the spiritual surroundings around the nature will find the Wat Pha Lat a perfect place to witness the tranquility of the Buddhist culture. Nestled on the top of trail of nearly an hour, this phenomenon temple is one of my favorite temples in the entire Chiang Mai where you will find nothing but the natural beauty nourishing the spellbinding statues made of rocks. This place is perfect example of nature blending with the spirituality and is surrounded by plenty of landscapes and waterfalls. The temple complex is a fascinating attraction for some refreshing experiences and get connected with the supreme power whilst understanding the basics of spirituality. I am not saying that other temples are bad or something, the selection of places are entirely based on personal expiences of mine and many other fellow travelers who shared their own experiences with me. These temples of Chiang Mai are known for being the greatest place to start exploring the flip side of religious and spirituality of Thailand. So, if you are ready to get on-board on flights to Thailand and experience plenty to unseen attributes of this part of the world Computer Technology Articles, then you should start your voyage by visiting here at first to be oriented with the key elements that have made the heritage and Buddhist culture in Thailand popular and constructed the foundation of the local civilization. (Mary Williams, ArticlesFactory.com).

                             

#Best Beaches in Bangkok

 Best Beaches in Bangkok

    Bangkok itself does not have beaches, but there are several beach areas within an easy journey from Bangkok either by taxi, bus or some destinations by train. Although it is relatively cheap to fly to beaches and islands some people want to spend a few days (or longer) at a beach close to Bangkok so they simply take a taxi from their Bangkok hotel and arrive straight at their beach resort some cases a boat or ferry ride is needed.

                                 Pattaya Beach
                             Photo Credit: sanook.com/travel

        Some of the best beaches near Bangkok that can be reached by road are Bang Saen (very quite), Pattaya Beach (very lively), Jomtien Beach (very busy but quieter than Pattaya), beach resort area south of Pattaya. Onwards to Rayong and boats over to the Island and beaches of Koh Samet or continue down the coast to Trat for a ferry boat to Koh Chang Island beaches. You can also reach Koh Chang by air from Bangkok to Trat. Heading south the west side of the Gulf are Cha Am, Hua Hin Hotels and also nearby Pranburi hotels and beaches, all can also be reached by frequent train services in addition to by bus or taxi.

Beach in Hua Hin

    Beaches near Bangkok are popular as they are very cheap to get by bus, taxi or some beaches (for example Hua Hin) also by train, Hua Hin and Cha Am, and now also Pranburi are very popular at weekends. There are offers not only beaches but national parks, treks, temples and lots of sight seeing, elephant village and more. ouAlso if you are departing from Bangkok late at night you can enjoy plenty of time on the beach if you are close to Bangkok. There are quiet beaches south of Hua Hin including those near the Sam Roi Yot National Park and further south to Baan Krut and Bang Saphan Thailand.

    Villa and Suits at the beach in central Hua Hin Beach. Royal Cliff  Resort Pattaya, Getting around in either Hua Hin and Cha Am or in Pattaya or Jomtien beach is very cheap transport.

#Bangkok by River

 Bangkok by River

    This is a brief hisrtory and destination of the khlongs,or narrow waterways, that occupy such an important position in Bangkok city life. It will hopefully give you an interesting glimpse into Bangkok life and some ideas about travelling around the city.

                           Khlong Saen Saeb 

                              Photo Credit: th.wikipedia.org

The history of the Khlong

    The area surrounding Bangkok has always been a swamp and the Chao Phraya River from the biggest waterway here. In the 16th century there were already channels dug in the Chao Phraya River to give shipping better access to and from the former capital Ayutthaya. The large meanders that the river course made on its way to the Gulf of Thailand were out off by canals. The majority of waterways were created after Bangkok became the new capital. The most southern of the canals had to be filled in again because at high tide the city flooded with seawater.

Almost all national (and with some fluctuation, international) trade was conducted on the water. Furthermore, moats were created for the defense of the city in the 18th century, after the example of the set-up at Ayutthaya and in the 19th century, for purely military purposes, a few longer canal s were excavated by Chinese workers, from east to west in the area west of the city. With the passing of the centuries irrigation of the surrounding farmlands and the expansion of trade mobility were prime reasons for creating  new waterways as the city developed and grew. Bangkok employed Dutch water engineering experts (end of the 18th, beginning of the 19th century) to reclaim the swamp areas. After the second World War, can building in the swamp areas was intensified.

The ancient Khlong atmosphere

    Nowadays not all khlongs are in use. Some of them have been filled in to improve land transportation. Still, parts of Bangkok have retained the old waterway atmosphere providing the opportunity for a relaxing outing. You could, for example, take the khlong Bangkok Noi water taxi and travel the old river arm and see the original canal communities.The water taxi laves from Tha (pier) Maharat, next to Silpakorn University. Each journey costs about 20 Bhat and the further you go into the khlong the more beautiful the surroundings: wooden teak houses with gold-leafed Temples and colourful orchids cultivated in tiny gatrdens.This taxi service is provided by the so-called "longtail boats". These are brightly coloured, narrow boats, about 8m long, and equipped with huge motors (sometimes Japanese truck engines) with the propeller on a long shaft so that the boat can navigate shallow waters. You can of course, charter a longtail boat. These cost about 400-500 Bhat an hour at Tha Si Phraya. Make sure you agree the price before setting off.

Practical River Transport

    If you really must travel during the rush hour, it's a good idea to take an express boat over the Chao Phraya River to get somewhere. It's a bit hectic, but a lot less muggy than trying to travel over land.

                              Photo Credit: Facebook Wonderful Pearl Cruise

Dinner Cruises

    You can have ea wonderful meal in Bangkok on a dinner cruise in the evening. A few are name in the Lonely Planet book and it can be useful to make a reservation. We did a really nice cruise on typical wooden "rice barge" with gentle Thai music, fine service and lots of good food. This was not the cheapest (approx 1250 Bhat per person) but it was absolutely worth it. 

Cycle Trips

    Another great way to see the city is by bike. Try a Bangkok cycling tour along the banks of the khlongs.

                    River Kwai

                   Photo Credit: travel.mthai.com

River Kwai Trips

    The famous River Kwai is really a highlight of any trip to Thailand. From Bangkok, you can take a trip to the River Kwai, stopping first at the famous floating markets in Bangkok and even travelling on the Death Railway built by POWs. You can even sleep in floating huts on the River Kwai during some River Kwai tours. You can build your old Thailand adventure with khlong tours, trekking, and island hopping with Thailand Travel Plan.

(Source: Free Article from ArticlesFactory.com)

#Bangkok Packages: Top 5 Reasons to Visit the City of Angles

 Bangkok Packages: Top 5 Reasons to Visit the City of Angles

    Visiting is a unique travel experience, offering a dizzy mix of natural sites,cultural heritages and cosmopolitan ambiances to explore. This article tell you top 5 reasons why you should take a Bangkok tour package.

                                 Photo Credit: guide.pureriwater.com (Grand Palace)

        The city is far-famed for its exoticness and unsurpassable religious fervor. Designated as a "Land of Angles" it is counted among-st the friendliest and most happening cities around the globe. The cultural potpourri that it has to offer always leaves an indelible mark on culture-enthusiasts. Amusement parks, shopping malls and superb dining spots in the city give an experience you will never ever forget about. Truly, Bangkok is a land of delights where everyone finds his soul seeking for refuge. 

    A much talked about holiday destination in Asia is Bangkok, packaged of an array of tourism attractions to enjoy with. Grand historical temples, shinning shopping malls, neon-lit streets dominated by gargantuan skyscrapers  and turquoise skyline, heart-rending scenery of amusements parks and soul-stirring ambiances - a Bangkok tour makes you carry back those memories which not just evokes nostalgia within you but also delight your senses for long. Though each corner of the city is compelling enough to keep visitors hooked and beacharmmed, here are some solid reasons why you should opt a Bangkok tour.

    Bangkok Temples: They are peerless and incomparable in term of both architectural beauty and spiritual fervor. Some of them including the Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Wat Mahathat are so fascinating that your heart will wish to stay in the city forever. The best time to visit  these temples is to the early morning. The environment is pure and pristine and committing random acts of Buddhist traditions. 

                             Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org (National Museum)

    Museums and Art Galleries: The Bangkok' soul lives in its temples, while the history rests in its museums. There are plenty of museums, showcasing the most sublime collections of artifacts, relics and historical remnants. Visit to these museum make you peep into the rich cultural heritage of Thailand. The National Museum in the city is a great place to comprehend country's art and architecture. Apart from that, a visit to the Bangkok Folk Museum and Jim Thompson's House always remains worthy for history-lovers.

    Zoo and Animal Parks: (It will be move to Thanyaburi Klong 6, Thanyabui District, Pha Thum Thani Province in the future.) You can't take wildlife in the city's zoo and animal parks away from a Bangkok package. They are great place to learn about wild animals and see them behaving naturally. Even you can get closer to them, feed them and play with them visiting these animal parks. Most of them are located on the outskirt of the city and serve as a remarkable fun excursion for family vacationers. Among the noted names in this category are Dusit Zoo, Bangkok Snake Farm and Bangkok Butterfly Park.

    Nightlife: The city offers a throbbing experience after the day turns dark, clubs to sophisticated bars and live music shows to exotic go-go bars, that you can imagine of is available in the city to give you night pleasures of a lifetime. Really, you might birdies would have a great time here!.

    Shopping: Irresistible, rewarding and thrilling, this is how Bangkok shopping is described about.The city is an ultimate paradise for shopaholics, dotted with a number of shining malls, local street-side shops and flea markets offering an eclectic range of goodies and dishes.   

(Source: Free articles from ArticleFactory.com)

#Thailand

 Thailand

The country's official name was Siam (Thai : สยาม; IPA : sa'ja:m RTGS : Sayam origin unknown) until 24 June 1939, and between 1945 and 11 May 1949, when it was changed to Thailand. The word Thai (ไทย) is not, as commonly believed to be, derived from the word Tai (ไท) meaning "Free" in the Thai language; it is however, the name of an ethnic group from the central plains (the Thai people). A famous Thai scholar argued that Tai (ไท) simply means "people" or "human being" since his investigation shows that in some rural areas the word "Tai" was used instead of the usual Thai word "khon" (คน) for people. With taht mind the locals seemed to have also accepted the alternative meaning and will verbally state that it means "Land of free". This might be due to languge barriers and avoidance of long difficult explanations. (http://en.wikipedia.org/) The region known today as Thailand has been inhabited by humans since the paleolithic period (about 500,000-10,000 years ago). Prior to the fall of the khmer Empire in the 13th century, various states thrived there, such as the various Tai, Mon, Khmer and Malay kingdoms, as seen through the numerous archaeological sites and artifacts that are scattered throughout the Siamese landscape. Prior to the 12th century however, the first Thai or Siamese state is traditionally considered to be the Buddhist kingdom of Sukhothai, which was founded in 1238, following the decline and fall of the Khmer empire in the 13th-15th century AD.

    A century later, Sukhothai's power was overshadowed by the larger Siamese Kingdom of Autthaya, established in the mid-14th century. After Ayuttha fell in 1767 to the Burmese, Thonburi was the capital of Thailand for a brief period under King Taksin the Great. The current (Rattanakosin) era of Thai history began in 1782 following the establishment of Bangkok as a capital of the Chakri dynasty under King Rama I the Great.

    European powers began traveling to Thailand in the 16th century. Despite European pressure, Thailand is the only Southeast Asian nation never been colonised by a European country. Two main reason for this were that Thailand had a long succession of very able rulers in the 1800s and that it was able to exploit the rivalry and tension between the French and the British. As a result, the country remained as a buffer state between parts of Southeast Asia that were colonised by two colonial powers. Despite this, Western influence led to many reforms in the 19th century and major concessions, most notably being the loss of large territory on the east side of the Mekong to the French and the step by step absorption by Britain of the Shan (Thai Yai) States (now in Myanmar) and the Malay Penisula. The loss initially included Penang and Tumasik and eventually culmnated in the loss of three predominantly ethnic-Malay southern provinces, which later became Malaysia's three northern states, under the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909.

#Bangkok is the Capital of Asia

 #Discover the Charms of Bangkok

Bangkok is the largest as wall as the Capital city of Thailand. Situated near the gulf of Thailand and on the eastern banks of the Chao Phraya River, in the south-west part of the country, Bangkok is perhaps the number one tourist spot in the South-East Asia, and serves as the gateway to the country. Bangkok is an incredible destination that is a blend of east and west, and one can see here historic as well as ancient shrines overlooking towering modern building that dominate the skyline. Apart from being a popular tourist spot, Bangkok serves as the country's seat of administration and government. Bangkok is also the main port of the country, and is home to about one tenth of the population of the country. Further, Bangkok is sometimes refered to as the Venice of the East due to its beautiful canals and rivers. No matter you are honeymooners, business traveler, spiritual traveler, history buffs, or just a sightseer, Bangkok provides excellent options for all. From ancient Buddhist Wat, historic monuments, and interesting museums to amusement parks, parks, 

and gardens, Bangkok boasts of a spectrum of attractions. Of the attractions in Bangkok that deserves a special mention are its magnificent royal palaces. Just few among many of them are Grand Palace, which is exquisitely decorated and attached with areas such as Borombinan Hall, Amarindra Hall, and Dusit Hall; Chitlada Palace, which is the current residence of the King; Vimanmek Mansion - a stupendous as weel as expansive wooden palace made from golden teak; and Suan Pakkad Palace, with a collection of traditional style Thai mansions. Equally interesting is the Buddhist Wats and temples found in the city, such as Wat Phra Kaew, which is considered the most prominent Buddhist temple in the country; Wat Arun, otherwise known as the Temple of Dawn; Wat Pho, whose centerpiece is a 46 meters along statue of Lord Buddha in reclining posture; and Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of Golden Buddha.

    A visit to Bangkok would not to be complete without taking a tour to many of its interesting museums such as Bank of Thailand Museum, located within Bangkhunphrom Palace; Erawan Museum, in whose front one can find a statue of three-headed elephant that stands on an gargantuan pedestal; Bangkok National Museum, which has on display an amazing collection of Thai art and artifacts; Bangkok Folk Museum, with exhibits such as traditional utensils and ceremonial related artifacts.

    Human Imagery Museum, which throws light on the Thai life and culture; Corrections Museum, which is located at the site of the Bangkok Remand prison; Forensic Museum, where you can see preserved corpses; Science Museum, with an interesting aquarium, a planetarium, and several other sections for entertainment and education; Philatelic Museum, which is a must-see for stamp collectors; and Royal Barge National Museum, which has on display an array of royal barges that were used during royal occasions.

Additionally, Bangkok is also home to much famed Ancient City, which is the world's largest outdoor museum. On display here are gigantic-sized replicas of renowned monuments and temples found across the nation.

    Other not to miss attractions in Bangkok are Lumpini Park, the largest as well as the oldest park in the city; Dusit Zoo, boasting o f more than 200 mamals, 150 reptiles, and 1,000 birds; Thai Cat Palace, featuring several breeds of cats such as Siamese, white pure Maeo Khao Mani, and diamond-eyed cats; Snake Farm, also known as the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, which is one of the leading producers of anti-venom Serum in Asia; Crocodile Farm- the largest of its kind in the world, where you can see more than 60,000 fresh as well as sea water crocodiles; and Rose Garden, a well-manicured area where cultural shows are conducted. (Wolfgang Jaegel).